Transform a simple refrigerated pie crust into irresistible Pumpkin Spice Candied Pinwheels in minutes! These delightful cookies, requiring just four ingredients, are the ultimate easy fall treat for any occasion.

Pumpkin Spice Swirls: Quick & Easy Leftover Pie Crust Cookies

Embracing the Flavors of Fall: Your Go-To Pumpkin Spice Treat

As autumn leaves paint the landscape in breathtaking hues and the air takes on a crisp, inviting chill, a beloved tradition sweeps into our kitchens: pumpkin spice season. For enthusiasts like myself, and likely for you if you’re reading this, fall isn’t just a time of year; it’s a sensory experience filled with warm spices, comforting aromas, and delicious seasonal treats. While pumpkin spice finds its way into lattes, muffins, and cakes, it truly shines when combined with the versatility of baking. This particular season also brings with it the joy of pie making, often leaving us with that little bit of extra pie crust that’s too good to waste. What if we could marry these two fall favorites into one simple, scrumptious creation?

Indeed, you can! This recipe for Pumpkin Spice Swirls, or as I like to call them, Leftover Pie Crust Cookies, offers a brilliant solution. It transforms that unassuming refrigerated pie crust into an extraordinary, candied pinwheel cookie that encapsulates the very essence of autumn. No complex techniques, no lengthy ingredient lists – just pure, unadulterated fall flavor and delightful texture.

⭐ Love These Quick Pumpkin Spice Cookies? Pin for Later! ⭐

A Culinary Adventure: The Freaky Friday Blog Hop

Today’s feature recipe comes with a delightful backstory, thanks to a unique event called Freaky Friday! For those unfamiliar, Freaky Friday isn’t just a classic film; it’s a cherished, seasonal blog hop that brings together a community of food bloggers. Each round, we secretly select another blogger’s site, choose one of their fantastic recipes, and then recreate it in our own kitchens. The excitement builds until a designated “Freaky Friday” when we all simultaneously reveal our creations to our readers, linking back to the original recipe and the inspiring blog. It’s a wonderful way to foster creativity, explore new culinary styles, and support our fellow food enthusiasts. This particular Friday is our much-anticipated fall reveal!

For this season’s fall edition, I was assigned the pleasure of diving into Seduction in the Kitchen, the vibrant blog masterminded by Deanna. She’s a phlebotomist by day, and by night, a dedicated food blogger who crafts recipes designed to truly “seduce your senses” with their flavor and appeal. Deanna’s culinary range is impressive, spanning everything from comforting, hearty family meals to sophisticated cocktails and innovative dessert creations. Exploring her site was an absolute joy, filled with inspiration at every click.

Discovering the Inspiration: From Chai to Pumpkin Spice

My journey through Seduction in the Kitchen was quite an extensive one. I actually found myself with three compelling recipes I wanted to try before making my final decision for Freaky Friday. The first delightful discovery was her Bananas Foster Banana Bread. Given my perpetual stock of ripe bananas in the freezer, this was an immediate contender – a perfect way to transform those frozen treasures into a delightful baked good. Next, I was thoroughly tempted by her Blackened Shrimp Pasta; the combination of savory pasta and succulent shrimp is always a winner in my book. While both of these recipes could have been adapted to fit a fall theme with some creative garnishes or side dishes, I felt a pull to keep searching for something that truly encapsulated the spirit of autumn and offered a unique twist.

That’s when I stumbled upon Deanna’s recipe for Candied Cinnamon Swirls. Her original recipe used a special chai syrup, an ingredient I didn’t happen to have on hand. This presented the perfect opportunity for a creative adaptation. Dee’s core concept, involving a pie crust, brown sugar, and cinnamon, was brilliant. My mind immediately jumped to a pumpkin spice rendition, knowing it would be absolutely perfect for the current season, or even for Thanksgiving when leftover pie crusts become a common, delightful problem to solve. Why let those precious remnants of pie crust go to waste when they can be effortlessly transformed into these charming, flavorful pinwheel cookies? It’s a wonderful way to minimize food waste while maximizing deliciousness, creating cute little cookies that taste as good as they look.

The Magic of Simplicity: Just Four Ingredients!

The beauty of these Pumpkin Spice Swirl Cookies lies in their incredible simplicity. You’ll be amazed at how such a small number of ingredients can yield such a flavorful and satisfying result. This minimal ingredient list makes them an ideal choice for busy bakers, spontaneous treat cravings, or when you just want a delicious dessert without a trip to the grocery store. Here’s all you need:

• 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust: This is your shortcut to quick and easy baking. While homemade pie crust works beautifully, the convenience of a store-bought, pre-made sheet is undeniable, especially when time is of the essence.
• Pumpkin pie spice: The indispensable blend that defines fall flavor. It’s what gives these swirls their signature warmth and aromatic charm.
• Brown sugar: This provides a deep, molasses-rich sweetness and plays a crucial role in creating the lovely candied exterior of the cookies as they bake.
• Butter: Essential for both flavor and texture, butter helps bind the sugar and spice mixture, ensuring it adheres perfectly to the crust, and contributes to the tender, flaky quality of the finished cookie. For easiest spreading, make sure your butter is very soft, or even gently melted.

With these four humble ingredients, you’re just minutes away from baking a batch of truly irresistible Pumpkin Spice Swirls.

Baking Perfect Pumpkin Spice Swirls: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these delightful cookies is as enjoyable as eating them. The process is quick, simple, and incredibly rewarding, filling your kitchen with an inviting aroma.

Preparation is Key: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup.

1. Create the Flavorful Filling: In a small mixing bowl, combine the very soft (or melted) butter, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly blended into a thick, fragrant paste. This ensures even distribution of flavor in every bite.

2. Layer the Deliciousness: Unroll your refrigerated pie crust onto a clean, lightly floured surface or directly onto your parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the prepared brown sugar and pumpkin spice mixture evenly across the entire surface of the pie crust, leaving a small border around the edges.
3. Roll for Perfect Swirls: Starting from one of the longer edges, carefully and tightly roll the pie crust into a log shape. The key here is to keep it as snug as possible to ensure those beautiful, defined swirls in your finished cookies.

4. Slice and Bake to Golden Perfection: With a sharp knife, slice the rolled log into individual cookies, aiming for a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Thinner slices will be crispier, while thicker ones offer a chewier bite. Arrange the sliced pinwheels flat on your prepared baking sheet, ensuring a little space between each to allow for even heat circulation.
5. The Grand Finale: Bake for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are beautifully golden brown and the sugar mixture has caramelized to create that fantastic candied effect. Keep a close eye on them to prevent over-browning. Depending on slice thickness, you can expect to yield between 24 and 30 delicious cookies.

The moment these come out of the oven, your kitchen will be filled with an intoxicating aroma of pumpkin spice and caramelized sugar. The candied finish not only adds visual appeal but also a delightful textural contrast that makes these cookies utterly addictive.

Perfect Pairings and Occasions

These Pumpkin Spice Swirls are more than just cookies; they’re versatile little ambassadors of autumn comfort. While they are undeniably perfect with a warm cup of coffee or, yes, even a Pumpkin Spice Latte, their charm extends to a variety of settings:

• Spontaneous Entertaining: Their rapid preparation time makes them a lifesaver when unexpected guests arrive. You can have a fresh batch baked and ready in under 20 minutes, ensuring your home smells divine and your guests feel welcomed with a homemade treat.
• Thoughtful Hostess Gifts: Elegantly arranged in a decorative tin or cellophane bag, these cookies make a delightful and appreciated gift for any host or hostess, particularly during the holiday season.
• Breakfast or Brunch Treat: Their cute, cinnamon-roll-like appearance makes them an inviting addition to a breakfast or brunch spread. Serve them warm with a dollop of cream cheese frosting for an extra special touch.
• Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: A perfect little sweet bite to accompany your mid-afternoon tea or simply to enjoy during a quiet moment.
• No-Waste Baking: Beyond their deliciousness, these swirls are a fantastic way to utilize leftover pie crust dough, ensuring no ingredient goes to waste during your holiday baking endeavors.

Their beauty lies not just in their taste, but in their ability to evoke the warmth and joy of the fall season with minimal effort.

Continue the Culinary Journey: More Freaky Friday Inspiration!

If you’ve enjoyed the story and inspiration behind these Pumpkin Spice Swirls, you’ll love exploring more from our collaborative Freaky Friday events. It’s a fantastic resource for discovering new recipes and talented food bloggers.

Click Here to Discover All Past Freaky Friday Recipes

And certainly, don’t forget to visit the source of today’s inspiration, Deanna’s wonderful blog: Seduction in the Kitchen! I’m already eagerly anticipating my next culinary adventure from her site, planning to whip up her intriguing Kielbasa Bacon Bombs! You never know what mouth-watering ideas you’ll uncover there.

This Season’s Harvest: All Our Freaky Friday Fall Recipes

Take a moment to explore the full bounty of recipes shared by our talented blogging friends during this Fall Freaky Friday round. Each link leads to a unique and delicious creation, perfect for adding to your autumn menu:

• An Affair from the Heart – Pumpkin Spice Swirls – Leftover Pie Crust Cookies (You’re already here, enjoying these!)
• Bowl Me Over – 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
• The Healing Tomato –  Greek Dipping Oil
• LeMoine Family Kitchen – Easy Vegetable Orzo Soup
• Lemon Blossoms – Coconut Curry Soup with Shrimp
• Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish – Lemon Rosemary Chicken and Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner
• Mildly Meandering –  Caprese Tortellini Skewers
• Plattertalk – Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
• Seduction in the Kitchen – Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Skillet
• Take Two Tapas –  Tequila Infused Grapes
• West Via Midwest –  Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
• Who Needs a Cape? – Cheesy Chicken, Artichoke & Rice Casserole

So, seize that leftover pie crust, infuse your home with the enchanting aromas of pumpkin spice, and create a batch of these truly unforgettable Pumpkin Spice Swirls. Happy baking, and enjoy the deliciousness of fall!